Opening loss doesn’t discourage Faith
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls softball team began the 2022 season with an 18-10 loss to Concordia Christian School on March 7.
The Lady Flames (0-1) committed seven errors in the contest. Concordia scored 14 runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings after trailing 7-4 in the fourth.
Head coach Delaney Ferguson noted the players will need time to improve.
“We have a young team,” she said. “Some have been playing softball for years, some haven’t played in years, and some haven’t touched a ball in their whole lives.”
Sophomore pitcher Jaedyn Hart took the loss. She gave up 8 earned runs, 7 walks, and 8 strikeouts.
“Jaedyn played when she was younger and got away from it,” the coach said. “She’s just now getting back into the routine.”
Ferguson noted that Concordia sometimes went through their whole batting lineup in one inning. Those extra batters in the later innings tested the pitcher’s stamina. Hart’s pitching and batting, where she led the Lady Flames with 3 RBIs off 2 hits, were the reasons why the coach gave the pitcher the game ball.
“Jaedyn never got down,” Ferguson said. “She was still out there doing her thing, she kept going. She stuck in there.”
Meanwhile, the coach credited junior catcher Ashlynn Tipps for setting the defense.
“Ashlynn could play anywhere but playing catcher suits her,” Ferguson said. “Ashlynn is a leader and a talker.”
Juniors Jillian Chavira and Mackenzi Fromberg played at second and third base, respectively, where the two can really help the Lady Flames, the coach said.
Other members include junior Mackenzie Ahrlett, sophomores Cameron Mathis and Kylie Koen, and freshmen Avery Floyd and Hadley Shipley.
Shipley was at first base, while Ahrlett was at shortstop.
“We have a pretty solid infield,” Ferguson said.
Faith travels to play Hill Country Christian at 7 p.m. Friday, March 11, at Westwood High School, 12400 Mellow Meadow Drive in Austin.
Ferguson anticipates a memorable year.
“I think they’ll learn from each other and learn how to work well and have a great season,” she said. “They were friends before they played softball. It’s easy for them to tell each other where the plays are or pick each other up when they’re down.”
